I used to be Britain's longest-running wrestling blogger. Then I got a proper job.

Sunday, 22 August 2010

WCL Season 2 Episodes 17-20 - DVD Review

Pat Barry (left) v Jarrell Miller

This edition of The Two Sheds Review sees us taking our fifth look at the world of hybrid kickboxing, season two of Chuck Norris’ World Combat League. The regular season is now over, and now it’s time to look at the divisional play-offs.

Eastern Conference Final - New York Clash v New Jersey Tigers

A very exciting match with a comeback performance that almost got the job done.

New York began strongly when the debuting Abraham Han knocked out Tom Grimmer. The Clash followed up with two more knockouts from Leo Valdivia and Remi Ibrahim, before future UFC star Pat Barry took a judges decision over John James.

New Jersey’s only win in the first half came when Uriah Hall defeated Jaime Fletcher. However, Jennifer Santiago saw that the Clash ended the half with a victory over old rival Munah Holland, although she re-injured her hand in the process.

New York began the second half well, as Abraham Han impressed again with a KO win over Thad Campbell. But then the Tigers began to claw their way back.

Wins from Lyman Good, David Gonzalez and Jarrell Miller upsetting Pat Barry saw them gradually lessen the Clash’s lead. The only problem was though that they weren’t getting the knockout wins they so desperately needed.

So even though Uriah Hall knocked out Brandon Banna and Melissa Bopp out-fought Virginia Baker it wasn’t enough. New York’s first half dominance gave them the 133-124 win.
Western Conference Final - Oklahoma Destroyers v Los Angeles Stars

This was the most dramatic match of the season so far.

LA began well, although Oklahoma’s Anthony Njokuani was able to hold Jason Bourelly to a single point victory.

Oklahoma took four of the five remaining fights in the first half, with impressive wins for Jesse Lawrence, Alicia Ashley, Thomas Longacre and UFC 1 finalist Patrick Smith. Only the ever-reliable Raymond Daniels kept the Stars in the match as he outclassed Chidi Njokuani.

Oklahoma changed their tactics in the second half, using alternates for all of the fights. It proved to be their undoing.

Randy Blake was their only second half success, and slowly but surely LA began to work they way back into the match, and when Travis McRoberts out-pointed Douglas Edwards the scores were tied going into the final fight.

Raymond Daniels stepped up to the mark again, this time out-classing Scott Clark as LA defeated Oklahoma 144-137 to progress to the final.

In conclusion - these episodes have been by far the best of season two. Splitting the matches so each half took up one episode made for great viewing, although I imagine that some fans would have be waiting for baited breath when they were originally broadcast as a weekly series on television. I would have been, because I hate cliff-hanger endings.

So now it’s on to the third place play-off and the final, and what looks to be a cracking encounter.

With thanks to the powers-that-be at the World Combat League for supplying a copy of this release.

WCL Season 2 Episodes 17-20 form part of the WCL Season 2 box set, and is available to buy wherever DVDs are sold.